Retirement in Zimbabwe: an examination of the situation of retired Africans

Abstract

This paper is based on the findings of a study on RETIREMENT IN ZIMBABWE; AN EVALUATION OF THE ADEQUACY OF SOCIAL SECURITY PROVISIONS IN MEETING THE NEEDS OF AFRICAN RETIREES carried out by the author in 1990. The study found that, in Zimbabwe, formal social security provisions for post employment subsistence needs are rudimentary, inadequate and in most cases non-existent. Compulsory retirement in the absence of adequate formal social security provisions has induced poverty, destitution and a certain amount of restlessness among retired Africans. The study found that the majority of retired Africans had to resort to non-formal means of support for a living.